Disney is hard at work on a live-action Snow White remake following the lead of previous revamps like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. In some ways, it is a bit surprising that Disney waited as long as it has to do a remake of Snow White. After all, the original 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney’s very first animated feature, and thus it casts a long shadow over the company’s output ever since. Then again, perhaps Snow White’s status as the textbook Disney Princess fairytale is why Disney has been hesitant to bring it to live-action.
The original Snow White is a landmark animated movie and is perhaps Disney’s signature production. So many aspects of Snow White influenced Disney movies that followed, so living up to its legacy will be challenging. Yet, that is exactly what today’s Disney team will now attempt to do with its live-action Snow White, a project that already looks set to both pay tribute to the classic tale while also making notable alterations. Like every adaptation of an animated classic, the upcoming live-action Snow White remake has already gained a lot of attention and a fair share of controversy.
The Latest Live-Action Snow White News
A Full Trailer Is Revealed
Custom Image by SR Image Editor
Nearly six months after the first teaser trailer dropped earlier in 2024, the latest news comes as Disney reveals the full trailer for Snow White. Instantly catering to the movie’s vibrant and cartoonish visual style, the trailer introduces the conflict of the film as the Evil Queen takes control of the kingdom. Covetous of Snow White’s beauty, the Queen plans to have the young princess killed, but she is able to flee into the forest where she encounters the beloved dwarves.
Besides a few teaser images, the full trailer represents the first full look at the seven dwarves, and their design continues the movie’s over-the-top style. The trailer then shows other famous characters from the story, as well as iconic locations like the mine where the dwarves dig for jewels. Though the music isn’t taking center stage, the trailer has no qualms about showing off a bit of the familiar soundtrack as well as the new song composed for the live-action movie.
Live-Action Snow White Release Date
Snow White Returns In 2025
The release date for Disney’s Snow White is March 21, 2025. The Rachel Zegler Snow White remake had originally been set for a March 22, 2024, release, but this was delayed in late 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes and the need for re-shoots. With the film wrapped in June 2024, it seems highly likely that the film won’t have any trouble hitting its release date, even if Snow White is a VFX-heavy movie.
The SAG-AFTRA strike was resolved on November 9, 2023.
Disney’s Live-Action Snow White Cast
Rachel Zegler Stars As Snow White
Disney’s live-action Snow White remake cast hasn’t been fully announced, but Rachel Zegler will star as Snow White. While Zegler is still a rising name, adding some bigger star power to the Snow White cast is Gal Gadot, who is set to play the Evil Queen. Playing a villain inspired by an animated character, and being a villain, has allowed Gadot to play around with her acting style more than usual. Gadot has even explained in interviews that she’s changed her voice for the role.
Broadway star Andrew Burnap will portray a new love interest character named Jonathan, who is described as Robin Hood-esque. Martin Klebba —a veteran of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise — will play Grumpy. Martin Klebba has actually appeared in multiple Snow White adaptations in the past, including 2012’s Mirror, Mirror, and 2001’s Snow White: The Fairest Of Them All.
The confirmed cast of the live-action Snow White includes:
Actor Snow White Role
Rachel Zegler Snow White
Gal Gadot The Evil Queen
Andrew Burnap Jonathan
Ansu Kabia The Huntsman
Martin Klebba Grumpy
Dujonna Gift Maple
Colin Michael Carmichael Farno
The Snow White Live-Action Controversies Explained
Fans Are Divided Over The Live-Action Remake
Images that were taken by press during filming have kicked off some casting controversy as many of those who saw the pictures were less than happy. The stills, which featured what looked like Snow White and the seven dwarfs, caused an uproar among some fans. They were actually Zegler’s stand-in and seven actors of various genders and ethnic backgrounds as the seven dwarfs. The bulk of the backlash was levied at Disney for not casting people of smaller stature in the seven dwarf roles, as well as Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, being cast as Snow White.
For some fans, the implication is that Snow White didn’t have value as a Disney Princess without becoming a leader, or that dreaming of true love isn’t something a young woman should do.
Zegler found herself in the middle of controversy again because of her comments about the modernization in the movie. At D23 in September 2022, Zegler explained to the press that she believed the live-action movie brought Snow White out of the conventions of the past to become a woman that could be a leader and didn’t need a prince to save her. For some fans, the implication is that Snow White didn’t have value as a Disney Princess without becoming a leader, or that dreaming of true love isn’t something a young woman should do.
The Live-Action Snow White Story Details
A Classic Tale With Modern Sensibilities
In Snow White, the princess is targeted by her stepmother because of her vanity. Snow White is beloved and termed “the fairest of them all” by a magic mirror. The Evil Queen sends a huntsman after Snow White, who ends up escaping into the woods and living with seven dwarfs who mine gemstones. When the queen eventually tracks her down, a poisoned apple sends Snow White into an enchanted sleep that can only be awakened by true love’s kiss.
The new Snow White story will be made in line with modern sensibilities for Disney’s live-action remake. Snow White will no longer be a damsel in distress needing to be saved by a handsome prince’s kiss. In fact, she will go to battle alongside Jonathan, her love interest for the movie. There is not much currently revealed about the story, but many of its more iconic aspects are expected to remain largely the same. However, following the criticism of past portrayals of dwarfism in Snow White adaptations by Peter Dinklage, Disney said the seven dwarfs will be getting an overhaul.
The Live-Action Snow White Trailer
Watch The Trailers Below
Disney used their 2024 D23 fan expo event as the perfect place to debut the teaser trailer for Snow White, and it offers a clear look at the movie’s cartoonish style. Though very little is revealed by way of the story or even many of the characters, it does highlight Snow White’s scary journey as well as the Evil Queen’s dastardly motives. Accomplishing its goal magnificently, the teaser hints at what is to come without giving away too much.
Snow White (2024) Teaser Trailer
Six months after the first teaser arrived, Disney revealed a full trailer for the live-action Snow White adaptation in early December 2024. The lengthy look establishes the basic story framework, with Snow White fleeing the vengeful wrath of the Evil Queen, who wants to be the fairest of them all. While showing off the vibrant look of the movie, the trailer also offers the first real look at the dwarves, who are done in the cartoonish style of the rest of the film. Several key scenes are teased, as well as some of the movie’s new music.
The original Snow White is a landmark animated movie and is perhaps Disney’s signature production. So many aspects of Snow White influenced Disney movies that followed, so living up to its legacy will be challenging. Yet, that is exactly what today’s Disney team will now attempt to do with its live-action Snow White, a project that already looks set to both pay tribute to the classic tale while also making notable alterations. Like every adaptation of an animated classic, the upcoming live-action Snow White remake has already gained a lot of attention and a fair share of controversy.
